A star was born on Wednesday night -- not just in the Republican Party, but in American politics. Put the rhetoric aside and focus on who this speech was intended for. This speech was intended for those who live in between the coasts -- the heartland, flyover country, the South, the great Northwest and all others who go to work, raise their kids and don't seek praise for doing what is expected of them. As Sarah Palin said in her speech, "They love their country, in good times and bad, and they're always proud of America." This speech was intended for the mom and dad from Minnesota, who take their kids to hockey practice at 6 a.m. on a Saturday. The dad from Pennsylvania, who rushes home from work to coach his son's baseball team. To the grandmother and grandfather from Colorado, who take their grandkids to the farm that they grew up on. Palin spoke to Democrats, Republicans and independents. She spoke to America. She showed everyone what it means to be a great woman and, maybe more important, what it means to be a great American. JEFFREY SEYFERT, FARMINGTON
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It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.
